Tag: #faithwalk

EPISODE 211 WHO ARE YOU?

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The title of today’s episode: WHO ARE YOU?

There is a lot of talk about identity. People are constantly questioning who they are and who they are meant to be in the future. They allow the world to define them by their looks, money and job title. We are also defined by our character and work ethics.

Many companies take advantage of people who are hungry to climb the corporate ladder. These people sacrifice twelve and fifteen hours a day on the alter of corporate greed. Each time a new project comes up they are promised a promotion, only to be passed up for someone who is a drinking buddy of the boss. Where do Christians fit in in this crazy rat race. We value time with family and to do ministry over devoting ourselves fully to the God of corporate greed.

We realize that our identity is not in our looks, money, job title or what kind of car we drive, but our identity is in the Lord. We lay our lives on the altar of doing God’s will. That will looks different each day. Sometimes we are called to serve, other times we are called to encourage. Listening for God’s leading is what is important.

This was prompted by a woman that I know. She said she felt like she didn’t do anything for God. When I questioned her further she brought up that her sister in law taught Sunday School to the children for many years. She had never done that so she was feeling like she had not ministers to anyone. I know for a fact that this woman and her husband have given not only tithes faithfully to the church but generous offerings. I know of many meals she has prepared and taken to people that just went through surgery or a loss of family. She writes notes of encouragement to people and many other things. All of this without wanting draw attention to herself. I reminded her of this fact. Not all of us are called to stand behind a pulpit, but we are all called to share the gospel. Not all are called to be Sunday School teachers, but like my friend, she taught her sons to love God.

We cannot allow the enemy to drag us down or tell us that we do not have an identity. He would love nothing more than to get us depressed about our status in life and our identity. If he can cause us to doubt who we are, then he can keep us from stepping into who God wants us to be in the next season of our lives.

There is no doubt the church is on the brink of some major changes. But they will be for the good. The line is being drawn and the fence is too high to straddle any longer, we have to pick a side. Will we be defined by the things of this life? Will we allow Satan to tear us down by telling us we are not a good enough Christian? Will we allow the politically correct of this world define us?

It is time we check the fence. Are we on the inside where God is? If not it is time we get inside the safety of God’s yard.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

There is a whole lesson on that one verse about being in the presence of the Lord. Being thankful gets you in the gate, but we have to go further to get to him, we need to enter his presence with praise. There is a difference in being thankful and worshipping from the heart. Worship makes that heart connection.

It is going to take us being 100% sold out to Jesus. Like those people who work those crazy hours for a promotion on the job. We need to be sold out to our job of furthering the cause of Christ. There is a big dying world that needs us to step up.

Our identity and all our hope should be in Jesus. If we know who we are in Him, we will not be confused about our identity. So, I ask again, Who Are You?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 210 PSALM 27

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The title of today’s episode: PSALM 27

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? We have no reason to fear because the Lord is with us.

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

David said that even though a large group come against him. He would not fear. We are in a battle for the soul of our nation. We are in the biggest battle of our lifetime. Far too long we have looked at what the enemy is doing. It is time we stop looking at what he is doing and start looking to Jesus the author of our stories.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

We all know the story of the one who build their house on a firm foundation. As long as we are on solid ground, God will protect us and our house will be solid. It is when we allow the cares of this life to chip away at our foundation that we risk falling into temptation and sin.

Keeping our focus on God will assure that we stay on that solid rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

Not everyone seeks God’s face, many seek his hand. But he desires that we seek his face.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Lead me in the plain path. The simple path. The enemy will paint pretty pictures of the wrong path. It is paved with all sorts of shiny luring things to cause us to go the wrong way. It would be easy to be deceived, except we have the Lord to lead the way. He will lead us in all truth.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

It is easy to get battle weary and want to rush ahead of God’s will. If we can learn to wait on him and keep our faith, he will give us strength.

I want to encourage you to not look at how things appear, but how we believe God is going to make them. We walk by faith and light, not darkness and the deception of the enemy.

Stand strong and be courageous. We are in a battle, but we will win, as long as we are on the right side and that side is the side of the Lord.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 209 KNOWING GOD’S VOICE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: KNOWING GOD’S VOICE

Today I want to talk about God’s voice. It is the most powerful thing in the universe. His voice spoke the world into existence. The word says if we are his sheep, we will know his voice. But we do not start out knowing God’s voice. It is a process of learning to follow the leading of His Spirit. Although God can speak in an audible voice like he did Moses from the burning bush, most of the time it is a gentle nudge in your spirit. It is a thought in your mind.

Learning to discern between our thoughts, the enemy’s noise and what God is speaking to us, is a process. God will tell us to do something, and the enemy will immediately start telling us why we shouldn’t. The more we ask for God to speak to us, the better we will learn his voice.

John 10:4-5 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

If we are his sheep we will know his voice, he goes before us and we follow him. We will not follow a stranger because we do not know his voice. In this life there are many voices competing for our attention. The enemy has many voices that try to sway us. But if we can learn to know God’s voice, we will never go astray. Sheep normally stay close to their shepherd.

When lambs are born, the shepherd makes sure to spend time talking to the sheep. That way they know his voice. In the long run, it will help when the sheep gets out in the field. There may be other voices, but he will always find his shepherd.

Jeremiah 33:3 – Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God has promised to not only answer but that he will show us great things. When it comes to the things of God, a lot falls under the category of the miraculous. We have to be able to hear him when he answers us.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We can hear God through his word. The word reinforces our faith and our understanding of God. I am sure that most Christians have experienced the right verse at the right time. This is one way God speaks to us. The more we know his character the easier it becomes to discern the voices we hear. For example: We know that God’s word tells us to not lie. If we hear a voice telling us to lie, we can discern that is the enemy instead of God. But if we didn’t know the word of God said that we are not to lie, it may be harder to discern his voice.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Part of knowing God’s voice is having quiet time to be still and listen for his voice. Because we never want to go where he doesn’t not lead, it is important that we learn to follow his voice. He will lead us into all truth and righteousness, but we have to be willing to follow his leading.

There is nothing we face that he will not see us through if we lean on him and allow him to lead the way.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 208 BEING REAL

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: Being Real

What can I say to make a difference in your life? What small nugget of wisdom can I share that will make your day better? I can tell you that God is good. That he died to set us free. There is joy in service Jesus. But if I am not walking in that freedom, it may seem like a slogan. Only in seeing others free will the lost understand God’s freedom.

The same goes for every aspect of Christian life. We can tell people all we want to about Jesus, but most need to see it. They need to know that there are real people that are living and walking out their faith. Being real before God and man is our duty as Christians. When we tell others there is joy in serving Jesus, it better be showing on our faces.

Some Christians walk around downtrodden all the time. They are overburdened and never show any spark of Joy. These are the Christians that are in man’s bondage with legalism and religion. If you know someone for five years and they say they are a Christian and they never seems like there is any joy in their life they are bound by man’s religion and need set free. I am not saying as a Christian we will not have down times and sadness. But even in the worst grief and pain there is still God’s peace and his joy.

Now more than at any time before the world needs see us to being real. Not self-righteous, not religious, not someone who gives the gospel or Jesus lip service. We have to be sold out, all in, on fire, living and walking by faith. Everything we do and say should be to glorify God. Our lives are not our own.

I Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

People can listen to sermons all day long, but it means nothing if it is not applied to their lives.

James 1:22-27 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was, 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The word tells us to be a doer and not just a hearer of the word. It must be applied to our lives or we will remain the same person we were before. God’s word has the power to transform lives, but we also have the power to resist God’s leading.

This says if we are a hearer and not a doer we are like a man that looks in a mirror. For a moment when we hear the word we see where we stand with God. In other words things become clear. But if the man walks away, he doesn’t remember what he looked like. The same can be said for those of us that do not allow the word to change us. If we are a hearer and not a doer we will never know what we could have become.

It comes down to this, are we going to make an effort to allow the word to change us. Will we let it penetrate to our hearts and make changes. When these changes happen others will take notice. It will make us better witnesses.

We want to be the kind of Christians people know they can count on to be prayer warriors when they need God to move. The kind of people that will tell them the truth, even if it is not what they want to hear. We need to be the type of Christian that makes a difference in the world.

Ask yourself today if you are a hearer or a doer. Does the world know you are the real deal? Do they know that you are Christian in name only?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 206 NOT DRAWN AWAY

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The title of today’s episode: NOT DRAWN AWAY

There is an old phrase that says, “curiosity killed the cat” It originated before the end of the 1600’s. The meaning was a warning to not be nosy or too drawn to experimentation. It implies that being overly curious can lead to danger.

Human beings, especially young adults today are drawn to try all sort of things, from drugs and alcohol to all sorts of sinful experimentation. All too often when we become curious about the things of this life, we end up in a mess. Many people have lost their lives by trying drugs just once.

Sheep are curious and often want to see what is on the other side of the fence. They are not well established without a shepherd. If we are not well established in our faith, we will be easily drawn away. This is why we need to be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. So that curiosity about the things of this life will not draw us away.

The old saying the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, means with every situation it is not always as pretty a picture as satan tries to paint it. God is the master painter. We can trust what he paints for our lives to be a masterpiece. He can paint the peace and joy that we really need in our lives.

James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. This verse is referring to eternal death or spiritual death, but there are times that sin turns into physical death also.

It is not a sin to be tempted. Only when we are drawn away and that lust is carried out is it sin. Satan will constantly try to draw us away from God. Especially, if he knows we are serious about our faith walk. Satan will not bother those that are lukewarm or going through the motions. He wants to cause the ones in the spotlight, the one that are on fire to fall. Because he knows it will cause others to lose heart and fall.

We cannot put our faith in a preacher and worship leaders. We have to keep our eyes on the shepherd. Only he can truly lead. Don’t misunderstand me I am not saying we do not need church leadership and pastors. But we should only follow them as they follow Christ. Blindly following someone, just because they say they are a pastor, can be a scary thing to do. This is why we need to know the word and make sure the pastor is aligned with that word.

Sheep are easily distracted by insects, flies and storms. Christians can become easily distracted if we are not established in our faith. If we don’t stay close to the shepherd, we will be distracted by life. Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

The word surfeiting means to indulge in one’s appetites excessively. We are to be careful not to indulge in sinful appetites or allow the cares of this life to distract us to the point we do not hear our shepherd.

This is another reason I encourage you to keep your God focus. I am a firm believer, as long as we keep our focus fixed on God, the enemy doesn’t have a chance. It is when we allow our focus to waiver that we can get draw away into sin.

Phil 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This verse tells us what to keep our focus on and if you look at the adjectives they are all characteristics of God. He is honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report. The worship of our Lord takes our mind and focus off ourselves and our lusts. Worship gives us a better perspective of our relationship with God and keeps our minds set on the right thing, God.

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Jesus was telling his disciples that they would be facing some hard things. He told them to take up their cross daily and follow him. The next verse could be taken two ways. First, we all know that many have lost their physical lives and been martyred for the gospel of Christ. This could also mean to lose the life that we have planned. Lose the focus we have on the things of this life and put our focus on the things of God. We can lose the life we were living when we die out to self and live a life fully devoted to Christ. He is our shepherd, we need to follow him and not allow our attention to be drawn away to things that have no purpose in the eternal.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 205 SEARCH YOUR HEART

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SEARCH YOUR HEART

I want to talk to you today about some spiritual maintenance. Every so often we need to stop and take an inventory of our lives. In doing this we can see where we stand with God. Are we still standing firm on the issues that matter to God? Are we still calling sin a sin, or have we let down our guard.

Prov 4:20-23 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

We have to make sure to keep our hearts right before God. The enemy will come in with some lie that is almost truth. He will even tell you ten truths in order to tell you one lie. We have to stop the lies when they hit our mind. They need to be reasoned out and compared to the word of God, to see if they are true.

Sometimes satan will find us in a state that our mind is tired. We may be fighting sickness, stress or some type of distraction that will allow something to get beyond our first line of defense. We will accept something as truth that is not. Then the lie the seed the enemy has planted will start to take root in our hearts. This doesn’t make us weak; it makes us human. But it is also the reason we have to search our hearts and compare our beliefs to the word of God.

The word “search” according to oxford dictionary online means – try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly:

We have to seek carefully, trying to find the things that don’t belong in the heart of a child of God.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David often in the Psalms asked God to search his heart. I cannot tell you the times over the years that I have asked God to search me. I can not tell you how many times he came back with an answer. You need to work on this or that and point out something that had tried to take root. Things like jealousy, bitterness and more.

I’ve recently been on a journey that I didn’t consciously decide to take, but its been a good one. I was praying one day and ask God to remove anything in me that was not of Him. Over the course of the next two months, he brought three people into my life that had caused me hurt. They were what most would call a chance meeting. There were no big apology scenes or even a discussion. But God allowed me to let go of the hurt that had turned to bitterness. I was carrying, that I didn’t even realize. I won’t share all of them, but I will share one.

I was at a gathering and a friend. She had some friends that sat with us. A woman that had made me feel really small and useless years ago, came and sat with us. As I sat listening to her share her story from the past ten years, God filled me with compassion for her and removed my bitterness. He will dig deep and search out the things that he knows we are ready to deal with and let go of; all we have to do is ask Him.

Prov 4:26-27 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

I think when we take time to ponder the path of our feet and make sure we are established in our faith that is another way of searching our hearts. We have to stay on the straight and narrow. In other words, keep our focus on God and his plan for our lives. We cannot allow ourselves to lose focus and turn to the right or left. If we do, we can remove our foot from evil and make a course correction. This is why we search our lives, to make sure we are still on the right path.

God is faithful and just, he will lead us into all truth and righteousness, but we have to make the choice each day to follow. We must have a made-up mind to keep our focus on him and allow him to lead us.

Psalm 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

When I was younger, I thought this verse meant that God had healed our brokenness. David was saying his heart was now fixed or healed. Because Jesus can heal the brokenness of our lives. He delivers us out of the place that we are walking around shattered in pieces and makes us whole.

But I believe that David was saying his heart was fixed like a point on a map. It was no longer going to be swayed by the enemy but was set on God. His life was on course and his heart was steady. The place his heart was, could be used as a reference point. In other words, he had a made-up mind and heart to keep his God focus.

It is amazing how fast this week has flown by, I want to encourage you to stay strong, keep looking up, and make sure you are on the right path. We are facing some scary things, but God will see us through them if we put our trust in Him and walk by faith. We know that things are not always as they appear to be at first glance. The enemy loves to try to deceive us, by making things look worse than they are at first glance. Be smart and don’t fall for his deception. Be ever vigilant about guarding your heart and mind.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 203 THE RIGHT PLACE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: THE RIGHT PLACE

Many people struggle with finding their place in the world. People in their teens and twenties especially are trying to figure out who they were meant to be. But you do not have to be a teenager to struggle with the identity question. Who am I meant to be in this season of life. Many things can change that will push us from one season to the next.

I talked to you yesterday about being in the right place or the secret place in God. When we find ourselves asking questions of God he will give us the answers to our new seasons of life.

I came across a Hebrew word in my studies. It is Anavah (Ah-na-va) which means bring down. It is translated into the English word humble or humility. We often think of humility as having a modest view or low view of our own importance. We may approach God with this point of view. God’s ways are always higher than our own. We are lower than he is because he is God and we are his creation.

However, this word doesn’t mean humility in the same way we think about it today. When the bible was written the word anavah was used and its meaning was to take up the space God gave you. Being aware of and occupying the territory that God created for you. Today, we would be considered humble if we backed off and gave the spotlight to someone else. However, there are times that God has given you that particular place to occupy. The hard part is knowing where your place is, God doesn’t want us to overestimate our territory. But he doesn’t want us to underestimate it either.

He wants us to walk confidently in the place he has put us; with conviction that we are where he wants us to be right now, for this season. But not to be overbearing like we have all the answers.

When we walk in humility, we are walking in the God given space, if we can do that, we will be an influence to those around us. Because we will be perfectly aligned with the will of God.

Think about it, have you ever had a moment that you knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that you were right where you needed to be; perfectly aligned with God. In that moment he used you to make a huge difference. Like the time God rerouted my day to put me at the falls to keep a woman from committing suicide. What if I had missed that moment?

Evil people often overestimate their place in the world. In the book of Esther; look at Haman, he had been made second in command of the kingdom. One step below the king, yet he was angered because a lowly man named Mordecai would not bow to him. He was trying to overreach his place in the world. When we are evil like he was, our overreach is always our downfall. He wanted to kill God’s people. Not something that was in his original design from God. He ended up hanging on the gallows he built for Mordecai.

Mordecai however, walked in the place God had for him. He would not bow to Haman, because he said he only bowed to his God; Jehovah. Mordecai did what he knew God wanted from him, to stand strong on his faith. God blessed Mordecai for his faithfulness.

It is easy to walk in the flesh and allow the enemy to mess with our thinking. If we can learn to walk in humbleness before God, he will help us. Underestimating our abilities is not humbleness, it is false humility. God doesn’t want us to walk in that either.

The enemy is out to destroy our identity. He wants us to feel like we cannot step into the calling God has for us. He makes us feel like we could never fill the space God has for us to occupy. In truth, we cannot on our own, but allowing ourselves to be meek enough to let God lead, we can do anything he has called us to do.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

He knows what he is doing, he created each of us with a plan and a purpose. It is up to us to get in that secret place with him and let him tell us who we are and what he created us to do.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Our Christian Walk is all about balance; not too much or too little. Like those who are legalistic they are on the one side too far. They make up rules to make sure to keep people in line. (They think too highly of themselves) Then you have those who have a nonchalant attitude that because God gives us grace that we can do whatever and it’s ok. (They think too little of their real place in God and in his blood) Somewhere in the middle is the Christian that wants to please God. They want to do HIS will. They don’t care about man’s legalisms, even though they are persecuted by the overly religious. They try to keep God’s commandments and do the right thing, even though there are those who are Christian’s in name only that try to sway them the other way. This little thing won’t matter. In the middle of it all is God and his plan for our lives the anavah.

Think about where God wants for you to be, ask him to point you that direction. I pray that you will learn to be right where you need to be at all times. That is my prayer for me, that I am always occupying the right space, in Him and for Him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 202 CHANGE HIDING SPOTS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: CHANGE HIDING SPOTS

As children, most played hide and seek. If you found a good spot you would go to it over and over, until the seeker found you. But if you were found it was time to find a new hiding spot. I want to talk to you today about the right hiding spot.

I often encourage you to read Psalm 91. There is a lot of encouragement packed into that one chapter.

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

God will protect his people, we are under his wing as a baby bird is protected by the mother’s wing. It is easy to look around us and be alarmed by the evil in the world. Many of us have considered our government a large entity that will protect us from foreign countries attacking us. We thought that they had our best interest at heart. Many of us understood their greed, but didn’t understand their evil. Not until recent years, have we seen the true colors of most of those who rule over us. It goes deeper than greed, many are evil personified.

Prov 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

The church has hidden behind, the passive “I don’t want to get involved in politics. We are called to love everyone.” We have hid behind our own moral compass and good deeds. Instead of hiding in the secret place with the Almighty, we have hidden in our entertainment. Justifying sin by saying that little thing or this little thing will not matter. We have cheapened the message of God’s Amazing Grace to basically a message of live anyway you want, he will forgive.

They miss the verse in, John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It is time for the church to find a new hiding place. It is often said that the best place to hide something is in plain sight. This is what our enemy is doing. They are not even trying to hide their evil.

Far too long we have cowered in the corner, hiding our light. How will the world know they are in darkness if there is no light? It is time we hide ourselves in the secret place of the most high God in prayer and worship. Studying the word and hiding it in our heart. The word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Unless we are illuminated by having that word in us, we will not have light for our path or enough to shine for others that they may see.

Psalm 31:19-20 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

If we fear the Lord and want to walk in his ways he will hide us in the secret of his presence, away from the pride of man. Because we all know what happens to the prideful…they fall. He will protect us from evil.

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

It is time we change our hiding place, to hidden in plain sight. We want to hide in the secret place of God. He will allow us to be seen in a way that will be a help to those around us. There is too much riding on how we react to what is going on in the world. We no longer have the luxury to be quiet and passive, it is time we lift our voices to God and for God.

Look at history, the Jewish people in Germany sat quietly by and soon Hitler had slaughtered approximately six million of them. They didn’t stand when they should have and soon it was too late. We can no longer hide in passivity. It is time we went to battle. We have to fight on our knees this war, the best place to fight is in the secret place where it is only you and God.

He wants our company and for us to honor him. Our hope is in the Lord, there is no other place we can run to for safety. All of our hope is in Jesus.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

We will weather the storms of life, because we have safety in name our Lord.

Take time and think about your hiding spot. Are you hiding in the secret place of the most high? Are you ready for what is coming or are you hiding somewhere in the passive zone thinking where you are is good enough?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD IS NEAR

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: Whatever Season, God Is Near

Yesterday, I spent the day outside in the beautiful fall weather. The leaves have mostly turned and are falling like rain in the Autum breeze. It is good to take a few moments and soak in the sunshine, while lifting up thanks to God for all He has done.

In the political climate and with all the negative things we see, it is easy to forget how blessed we are in America. I am certain of changing seasons as I am sure the leaves will turn bright colors and fall off the trees each year. I found it interesting as I stood on the porch in the sunshine, just how dark things appear, spiritually. If you have an ounce of discernment, it is not hard to feel how evil and dark things are all around us.

But the darker things get the more our light will shine. The more people will find hope in Jesus. That is why it is so very important for us to let our light shine and to not get caught up in the darkness of the world.

As we walk by faith and not by sight, we can help others to change their focus. We will not walk in fear. We will not allow Satan’s lies to overtake us. We will walk by our faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. The world is full of hurting, broken people that just needs Jesus. Some will never accept him, in spite of all the times he knocks gently on their hearts door.

We will not be able to have an effect on everyone we meet. But what if we are like Noah and witness to people for many years and everyone rejects our message except just a handful. Noah was able to influence his wife and sons and their wives. If we can pull just one soul out of the fires of hell, there is no sacrifice too great.

It reminds me of the story of the preacher that was in a boat with his son and another boy. This boy was his son’s best friend. They got in a storm and the son and his friend fell overboard. The preacher could only save one of them. He chose to sacrifice his son, because he knew he was saved. He also knew the friend was not a Christian. In that great sacrifice, the preacher mimicked what God had done. He sacrificed his son Jesus, so that we could live. That young man that was saved by the preacher went on to be saved and become a preacher that lead many to Christ.

We never know when we will be called on to show God’s love and compassion. We do not know what hard things we will face as the seasons of life change. But I do know who holds all of my tomorrows. Each one is planned to grow me and allow me to help others grown.

We are on the edge of the greatest revival of all mankind. God will have a final harvest, then he will call us to come up and meet him in the air. He tells us to occupy until he comes. I think he knows we will have things to do in this life that most would not consider spiritual. Laundry, dishes, mowing the lawn all the chores that we have to do. Going to work and common things like grocery shopping. But even in the middle of these simple things, we can talk to the Lord. We can worship him and be a light and a beacon of hope to the lost.

Many are groping in the darkness, looking for a light switch. When we come along, we can show them Jesus. Then suddenly their countenance will show that light that Jesus gives.

I know people that are so bound by legalism that they are miserable. There is a joy in serving Jesus. He didn’t come to give us a bunch of laws to follow. He came to teach us to love God and love one another. He came to set the captive free. He didn’t die to release us from the bondage of sin, only to bind us up again with a bunch of legalism. Do not mistake church by laws for God’s laws. Do not think that I do not stand against sin. There is a difference in breaking a rule that man sets and one that God says is a sin.

Be encouraged my brothers and sisters, God is still on the throne. Jesus still saves and we can walk in joy and freedom in the Holy Ghost. So go out today, pause and thank God for the beauty around you. Ask him to roll aways the darkness or help you to shine as a beacon of hope, always pointing everyone to Jesus.

I want to leave you with a scripture verse today. As a reminder that we are never alone. God told Joshua that he would walk with him as he did with Moses. We have to believe that he is with us as he has been in the generations before us.

Joshus 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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WE WILL PREVAIL

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WE WILL PREVAIL

Right now, it is easy to look around at the state the world is in and be discouraged. Many are out of work or working part-time. These hurricanes have devastated several states. The enemy seems to press in from every side. The news tells of one crisis or another constantly. But even in the middle of the worst things imaginable, God can be found. We will prevail.

The word prevail, as defined by Oxford dictionary: prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious:

Our enemy expects that he will wear us out. He thinks by throwing so much at us that we will get to be battle-weary. But we will be victorious because God is on our side. The strength he gives us will prove to be more powerful than our enemy. We will walk in victory.

Falling into fear, anxiety and depression will not help us survive this attack from our enemy. We have to look to our king, our commander in chief named Jesus. He has a battle plan and will fight for us. The enemy will not overtake us. We will prevail.

I will remind you once again about how Jehosophat followed God’s command and set his worshippers out front and marched to battle. But before they arrived at the battlefield, God had already caused the three armies that wanted to destroy Jehosophat, to destroy one another. God will cause our enemy to do the same. We just have to keep praising our Lord and keep praying for his guidance. We will prevail, not because of who we are, but because of whose we are, we belong to the Most High God.

Matt 6:25-27 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

We have all met people who thought too highly of themselves. But even their thoughts didn’t change their status in life. We are not supposed to be concerned about what we will eat, or drink or wear. Because God will take care of us. He will supply our needs.

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It doesn’t say he sees your need and will only take care of half, or if you are good maybe three-fourths. No, it says ALL your need. Whatever we need, he is our provider.

Matt6:28-30 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Matt.6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we seek God first, he will supply our needs. We do not have to worry or fret about what tomorrow will bring. God is our provider. He will take care of his people.

Matt 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Worrying about tomorrow is not a good use of our time. Worry will not add anything to the next day, but it will subtract from the day we are walking in. Today we need to learn to lean on Jesus. Dig deep and find the strength to trust in him. If we can trust Him, we will win the battle. If we learn to trust, we can walk in faith a whole lot easier. Trust makes it easier to praise Him in the storms of life.

Taking each minute as it comes. If we take a look at where we are now and where we have been. He never has failed us; he has not brought us this far to give up on us. That would have been like saving the children of Israel from Egypt only to allow the Pharaoh and his army to destroy the Israelites. But he didn’t allow the enemy to win, he instead drowned him and his army in the Red Sea.

Be encouraged this weekend, dig into the word, pray and seek God’s plan. He will never let us down, we will prevail as long as we put our full trust in him. There is not a problem that we face that we cannot overcome with Jesus by our side. There is not a battle too big for our God. We will prevail.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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